Center for Ag Conservation receives award from state conservation organization

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training was recognized for outstanding support and partnership with Pennsylvania’s conservation districts at the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts’ 2025 annual conference held in Champion.

The nonprofit association works with Pennsylvania’s 66 conservation districts to enhance locally led efforts that support the wise use of the state’s natural resources. Several conservationists were recognized during the awards luncheon at the conference, hosted jointly by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and State Conservation Commission.

The President’s Award honors individuals, organizations or agencies whose exceptional efforts further the accomplishments of the organization. According to the association’s press release, the center earned this award for its significant contributions to the visibility and capacity of conservation districts across the commonwealth, including efforts to promote conservation district job openings to a broader audience.

“Our team was surprised and honored to be selected,” said Jennifer Fetter, director of the center and Penn State Extension water resources program team leader. “An honor like this in our first two years speaks volumes to us.”

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training was established in 2023 in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. The center was designed to help farmers, agricultural landowners and conservation professionals implement best practices, ensure the health of land and water in communities, and leverage funding and partnerships.

“Many farmers in Pennsylvania have experienced encounters with agricultural conservation professionals as they work to meet both their productivity and conservation goals on their operations,” Fetter said. “It can be a challenge to balance those goals, and a well-trained agricultural conservation professional can be a huge asset to making that happen.”

She explained that the center provides technical assistance, training and educational resources to ag conservation professionals at local conservation districts and their partners. This support ensures the effective implementation of best management practices funded by the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program and other agricultural conservation programs.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide support to conservation districts and all conservation professionals in Pennsylvania,” Fetter said of the award. “Our team is passionate about this work, and we value our partnerships in this space. We hope to continue to serve the county conservation districts at this level for many years to come.”

Managed by Penn State Extension, the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training is funded through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.